Mccy

This isn't much of an update but work is due to start in the next 2 weeks and should last for around 6 weeks. So hopefully, Slammer will be back in operation within the next 8 weeks.

Obviously in the case of major structural collapse in the building or any other event where there is an immediate threat, the queue would be evacuated through the large gates just before the entrance to the building, or via the padlocked gate near the retail shop or through the main entrance. Potentially the entire queue can be evacuated in around 2 minutes. If the queueline was being evacuated because of a power cut or extended shut down, half the queue would go through the building and out through fast track, the other half out the entrance of the queueline. The evacuation procedure of both the queueline and the ride itself changes depending on the reason for evacuation. Other reasons why people are not allowed to queue in the lower part of the building are 1) because people queueing on stairs can be potentially dangerous, especially in the dark and 2) fast track is mixed with the main queue at the end of the first corridor which is far easier if the queue isn't past the fast track entrance.

Exactly it. The evacuation route for the front of the queue before the building is through fast-track and the queue in the building goes through the exit.

I see what you mean. Unfortunately due to health and safety regulations the amount of people has to be kept to a minimum (the total amount of people in the building cannot exceed 200) so it needs to be kept well below this limit. Staff are advised not to allow they queue go beyond the first set of steps in the station.

I believe it's wheel replacement, it should be back up to 7 cars today. I don't know what this means but there isn't any reason why guests can't queue up while the shotguns are going off. As far as I am aware, the building batching is exactly the same as it has always been.

I think the majority of the team this year on Saw do their jobs well. Most of the time the queue slows down because guests refuse to sit in the row that they were allocated to. 4 of the cars were found to have damage on them and are in the workshop being repaired. As it's essential work, I think Thorpe's thinking is "better to reduce capacity rather than not at all".

It may be running on a reduced capacity for the next few days but hopefully the cars will be brought back on as soon as they are ready

You might be onto something here ;-) I have heard a rumour from an ex-rides manager that something like this MAY happen. I think it's relatively likely due to the rapidly reducing demand for Saw Alive, the ending Saw contract etc.

There are thousands of reasons it could have minor downtime. While it is powered by air, it's rarely a problem. Usually it is to do with an operator error (you have to manually lower the ride from both sides at the same time within a 10 second window, if not it stays at the top), a balancing issue (the guest weight needs to be almost equal on either side due to rotational stability issues) or a restraint problem (if there is moisture in the lock detection system, the ride may not register a seat as locked meaning it won't run).Extended downtime is usually due to waiting on external companies to manufacture specific parts as SAWROB said.

My understanding of it is that the stresses on the central column/drive wheels etc are very high and they undergo fatigue which leads to cracks and fractures. The daily checks are to make sure that if a crack is found in time it can be welded shut before it fast fractures through and breaks the component.Usually when it's down for a while it's due to waiting on a replacement part because of the previous one breaking.

Don't mean to tease but I'm not allowed to give specifics away but for those who want an over 18 club night, I believe Thorpe are currently in talks with a major company to organise over 18 club nights. If everything goes to plan, it should be pretty good ;-)

I don't know which bands are playing for the opening day (although I heard a rumor YM@6 are playing the media day) but there will be more than just a few actors in the area on opening day and (although I probably shouldn't have to say this to enthusiasts), it sounds like it's well worth going to ;-)

I believe testing may be nearing completion. The advert was shot last week with people on the coaster.

Having worked in both F&B and Rides, you have far more time to interact with guests in F&B and there is a far bigger push from management to keep mystery shop scores up. Now that I'm in rides, I do try to interact as much as possible with guests (like high fiveing people on the ride etc) but due to the short amount of time available to interact with guests and management requiring high throughputs, it is harder to interact as much. Plus on the major coasters, the queue will be pretty much constant throughout the day so after a while, it is sometimes a struggle to stay motivated.

A certain ride may have started testing today...